Education chiefs have reacted angrily to accusations from union bosses they are neglecting pupils by closing 45 middle schools.

Northumberland County Council has said claims from a leading teaching union that it is thinking of money rather than children's education are "publicity-seeking and counter productive".

Yesterday the Chronicle revealed how the National Association of Headteachers (NAHT) said the council's plans to close its middle schools was a reaction to inspectors finding that the authority is performing poorly.

David Hart, general secretary of NAHT, said: "Northumberland's Options Document for the future of its schools is the most serious threat ever mounted against its middle schools system.

"There is little doubt it is a direct reaction to Ofsted's finding that Northumberland was performing poorly.

"It is also pretty clear the county council is being forced to sacrifice its middle schools as a price for obtaining millions of pounds to completely modernise its 15 high schools."

But Northumberland County Council dismissed the claims.

Director of Education Brian Edwards said: "We want teachers' leaders to talk to us, but not by shouting us down from the rooftops.

"Their statement offers not a single word on how to drive up standards, remove surplus places or fix broken-down buildings.

"We want to hear what they have to say. But we believe constructive dialogue is better done calmly.

"This is a once-in-a-lifetime chance to invest half a billion pounds in our schools that will help deliver a 21st Century approach to education. Doing nothing is not an option."

Northumberland County Council launched the Putting the Learner First Strategy to bid for £270m from the Government's Building Schools for the Future scheme. A re-organisation could generate an extra £50m.

There are 3,000 surplus places in Northumberland, which will double to 6,000 within a few years.